KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified Prime Minister Balen Shah’s controversial statement in Parliament regarding Nepal’s alleged encroachment on Indian territory, saying the remarks are linked to a technical concept of “cross-border occupation.”
Issuing a statement on Sunday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri said the Prime Minister’s comments refer to issues related to boundary pillars, no-man’s land (dashgaja), and cross-border land usage.
He explained that, based on technical studies, there are areas where land currently used by Nepal may fall on the Indian side, and vice versa, where land used by India may fall on the Nepali side.
“This is primarily related to encroachment of no-man’s land and cross-border occupation, meaning land use across the border,” he said.
The ministry reiterated that Nepal’s official border is defined by the Treaty of Sugauli.
It also noted that areas such as Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Susta remain under incomplete demarcation.
According to the ministry, principles related to river boundaries and shifting courses have resulted in situations where citizens of one country may be using land that falls on the other side.
The statement further said that technical teams from both Nepal and India are engaged in tasks such as repairing boundary pillars, monitoring encroachments in no-man’s land and collecting data on cross-border occupation.
Reaffirming Nepal’s position, the ministry said the government remains committed to resolving boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue based on historical treaties, maps and agreements.
The clarification comes amid escalating political debate following the Prime Minister’s remarks, which sparked strong reactions from opposition leaders, legal experts and the public. India has not yet issued an official response to the statement.
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